The Thunder Bay Community Tennis Centre Facility receives $205,000 from the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission and Tourism Thunder Bay.
Their Tourism Development Fund is an initiative to financially support projects that can attract visitors to the city. The new tennis facility aims to host large tournaments to attract players and spectators to Thunder Bay.
Only ten per cent of Canadian public courts are covered for year-round play, so this new facility presents a unique opportunity for the community. It will have 9 outdoor courts, 6 indoor courts and will seat over 300 spectators.
They began pursuing this project in 2019 with $1.5 million pledged from the city. Since then, Tennis Canada pledged $200,000, FedNor contributed $500,000, and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation committed $1 million. The facility has also made community fundraising efforts, securing over $3.4 million.
Steps to get the centre started are one-fifth of the way completed.
